Meet Charlie...

This is Charlie. I met him doing a commercial shoot in Grinnell, Iowa. He was was about to get in his old truck and I told him he was cute. Well, that sparked an hour conversation that I will hold dear to my heart.

He had a huge stuffed Tigger in his passenger seat....among other random items, Taco Johns cheese sauce, stuffed animals, McDonalds food bags, tools, etc. And in the bed of his truck were a couple of large branches from a tree.

We talked about the farmer's market in Grinnell, God, his daughter rejecting the used Tigger from a garage sale for his grandchild, {which I told him I did with my dad too....eeewww...germs....ha!} and his wife who passed away 9 years ago. He talked about taking care of her during the last two years of her life. So very sad but they shared 57 years of marriage and love.

Then he invited me around the other side of his truck in the back seat. He opened the door and there was a pile of about 30 handmade canes. Some with bike handle bar tops and funny rubber bottoms. Some had twists and turns and others straight. All colors, styles and sizes. He said that he makes them for those in need. It took all of me to keep it together when he told me to pick one out for myself....to give away. I told him I'd love to keep it for myself to remember him by because I was pretty sure I too would need a cane someday. He showed me how to choose the right size and insisted I took one.

I hugged him goodbye and brought it to my car and cried the whole way. He reminded me of my dad. He. Was. Adorable. I hope you have the pleasure of meeting him someday or using one of his canes.

Thanks Charlie.....for the cane and for reminding me about the amazing breathtaking thing we call the human race.